"I wish everyone could visit ‘Kevinland,' " says Kevin Zanders, the youth pastor at the Salvation Army's church (corps) in the West Park section of Cleveland.Zanders explains, "Kevinland is a happy place where everything is fun.Roller coasters are everywhere.The Cleveland Indians go to the World Series every year with me as their manager/player.There are vendors on every corner passing out tacos, corn dogs, and pizza."

Many of Zanders' ministry ideas come from the Kevinland of his imagination.

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Zanders was working on an Army canteen in inner- city Cleveland one Sunday when a man started running alongside, shouting for the canteen to stop.

"I slipped into Kevinland," says Zanders."From my childhood, I remembered how the sound and sight of the ice cream man would bring children running from all corners of the neighborhood.Then I began to imagine how that concept could be used to draw children to Jesus."

When Zanders shared his idea with West Park's pastors, Majors Sherrylyn and Paul Moore, they were ecstatic.

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"We were confident this was God-willed and we offered any support Kevin would need to make this happen," says Paul Moore.

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"We decorated the canteen to look like an ice cream truck," says Zanders.

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"There were more kids than I ever thought we could fit in the chapel," says Zanders.Many kids came with their parents and have been attending church and Sunday school ever since.

"We were amazed, but we should not have been," Zanders says."God is always in control."

The amount exceeded the goal of $570,000, Salvation Army Captain Kevin Zanders said during a news conference held at The Anderson's general store in Maumee.
The organization collected $550,000 in 2011.

"We're very grateful," Mr. Zanders said."None of this would have been possible without the community's support."

This year's goal is to raise $570,000, said Salvation Army Capt. Kevin Zanders.
The organization collected $550,000 in 2011.

"The need is great, but the people in this area of Toledo have been so great in the past," Mr. Zanders said during a kick-off ceremony held at The Andersons general store in Maumee.

Funds raised will be used to provide area families with food, toys, and clothing at Christmas, Salvation Army officials said.
Funds are also used to stock the organization's food pantry, youth programs, outreach ministries, and other emergency services.

A total of 56 Red Kettle stations will be located at various Toledo area businesses through Dec. 24, Mr. Zanders said.